+1 on that. I did not travel to see AC races (like Chuck did), but the catamaran races were an exciting spectator sport and I had many friends who never sail before watch them with me and got excited in the process.
I guess you cannot argue about tastes. I do follow Formula 1 and WRC, even if what I ever raced (and even less what I drive) has very little to do with these vehicles. I believe that the speed is secondary; the thrill of racing is what counts. just my 2c Marek 1994 C270 Legato Ottawa, ON From: Chuck Gilchrest via CnC-List Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2019 10:19 To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Cc: Chuck Gilchrest Subject: Re: Stus-List [EXTERNAL] Re: AC75 boats Joe, Having seen J Class boats, 12meter boats, IAC class, non-foiling and foiling AC catamarans race, I can attest to the excitement that ALL of them present to spectators when watching in person. I don’t think it truly matters if you thought you could put yourself on board as a participant. Regardless of the class yacht being used, I still view the America’s Cup as my all time favorite competition in sports. I grew up fantasizing about the 12 meters, followed the race coverage in the New York Times, and thought that the yacht Intrepid was the absolute pinnacle of yacht design. Mind you, I was sailing Sunfish and FJ dinghies at the time. As the IAC boats came to pass, I still had the passion to follow the Cup races and took a special trip to San Diego right while all the yacht syndicates from Japan, Russia, Italy, New Zeeland, and Australia prepared for the regatta. So cool! When the Cup finally returned to the US, I took my whole family to San Francisco to watch the AC72 Cats fly up and down the bay at breathtaking speeds. It was a thrill to see them in action and Yes, there were tacking duels and thrilling crosses. I didn’t get down to Bermuda, but I did see the smaller AC Cats race in Newport, and thought the fleet racing was spectacular. So maybe I will never sail on a foiler, but after watching several new Cup races, my 17 year old son is absolutely psyched up to sail on one of the new UFO 10’ foiling cats that our yacht club bought this year for the youth sailing program. He couldn’t be bothered by sailing my Laser, but can’t wait to get out on something that flies across the water! In my mind, that’s what the inspiration of the Cup should be. Chuck Gilchrest S/V Half Magic 1983 35 Landfall Padanaram, MA From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Don Kern via CnC-List Sent: Monday, January 28, 2019 4:43 PM To: Della Barba, Joe via CnC-List Cc: Don Kern Subject: Re: Stus-List [EXTERNAL] Re: AC75 boats I bet that is similar to what was said 1900's when the America Cup boats went to cross cut sails and the Marconi rig. Then again when they went from the 12 meters to the IACC boats, never mind the foiling cats. "just saying" own Fireball for 39 years Don Kern Docent, Herreshoff Marine Museum Fireball C&C35 Mk2 Bristol, RI
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